Carton



Feb. 9, 1937. E. J. CARR ,069,997

CARTON `Filed NOV. 13, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 E. J. CARR Feb. 9, 1937.

CARTON 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 13, 1935 IIU lllllll. l I.. ..||P|||| I .h ...n.ll l.l.

/uaf L? #W TTORN YJ v E.l J. CARR Feb. 9, 1937.

CARTON4 Filed Nov. 1s, `1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Feb. 9, 1937 g l,UNITED ,STATES PATENT koFFlc's CARTON Edward 10am', Scarsdale, N. Y. Application November-13, 1935, Serial No. 49,493

9 claims. v (cl. 229-21) This invention relates to cartons and has partlcular reference-to cartons for 'enclosing and carrying bottles or other containers, although the invention is not limited to that use.

Bottle-carrying cartons in current use are so arranged that the upper ends of the bottles project out of the carton, so thatthe bottles are not fully protected and the cartons cannot be stacked one upon the other for shipping and storage purposes. Ordinary cartons for containing bottles and other containers are not pro'- vided with. means whereby they may be'conveniently carried and consequently lack the advantages of ready handling and convenience.

In accordance with the present invention a carton is provided which is especially adapted for containing and carrying bottles or other containers in such a way that the bottles or other containers are completely enclosed and accordingly shape, so that it may be readily packed and stacked in the smallest possible space and it is provided with means whereby it may be carried conveniently, either separately or in association with another like carton, both cartons being arranged so that they can be carried in one hand. Morev particularly, the invention comprises a carton formed of cardboard or the like, the blank of which consists of an elongated strip which is folded transversely to form front, rear, bottom and top panels. Extending laterally from the front and rear panels and preferably formed integrally therewith are overlapping side panels which are secured together by appropriate tabs. Extending laterally from one of the side panels of the front panel is a flap having struckout tabs which are folded-at right-angles to its surface. When the carton is assembled, this ap is folded inwardly against the inner surfaceof the rear panel so that the tabs divide the interior of the container into three compartments and serve to separate the bottles therein.

Registering openings are provided in this ap and the engaging rear panel of the carton to serve as a hand hole. Similarly, there is an open-l ing formed in the top panel to serve as a hand hole extending at right-angles to the aforementioned hand hole, so that the hand may be inserted through the top of the closed carton and into the hand hole on the side thereof in order to carry the carton. A tab formed integrally with the 'top panel is preferably provided with a hand hole which registers With the rear Wall hand hole when the tab is inserted within the carton to secure the top panel in closed position. Due to fully protected. 'The carton is of a geometrical the location of the hand holes in the rear panel, like cartons may be placed back to back and carried-by the same hand which is inserted through the aligned openings in the abutting rear walls of both cartons. packed and shipped at and assembled in the manner described.

In a modified formof the carton of this lnvention, the flap, instead of being formed integrally with one of the side panels, is formed The vcarton blanks may beintegrally with the free end of the bottom panel secured to the front panel, and the side and rear panels are lateral extensions of the front panel, thus forming a laterally-extending main strip, the ends of which are secured together by gluing to form a rectangular tube. The ap is folded longitudinally So that its lateral edges overlap and, in this folded condition, it is adapted to be inserted through a slot in the bottom panel of the carton so that it lies against the inner surface of the rear panel with its lateral edges extending at right-angles to divide the interior into three compartments and serving as separators for the bottles or other containers inserted in the carton. Preferably, the free end of this flap is provided with a hand hole adapted to register with the hand hole in the rear panel, so that the weight of the contents of the carton is largely sustained by the inwardly turned flap when the carton is supported by its hand holes. The carton may .-be

packed flat and assembled by inserting the ap in the manner described, together with the usual' infolding operation of the bottom and top tabs.

In the second modification, the flap, instead of being inserted within the `carton, `is folded over the rear panel of the carton with its inwardly'turned side edges inserted through companion slots in the rear panel tdivide the interior of the carton into three compartments and to serve as bottle separators. Preferably, the free end of this ap is provided with a hand hole adapted to' register with the hand hole in the rear panel. In this form the side, front and rear panels are preferably secured together and folded fiatwise for packing and shipping.

It will be seen that the carton of this irlven tion provides an usually strong and rugged container for packing and carrying relatively heavy bottles or other containers of liquid or the like with security and ease, and when not being carried, the cartons are strong enclosures for the contents, and may be readily handled, stacked and packed.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

. Figures 1 and 2 are respectively end and front perspective views of the new carton of this invention, with portions removed;

Fig. 3 is a. vertical section through the carton as seen along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig'. 4 illustrates the carton blank;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of the carton partially assembled; Y.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the same in assembled condition with the top open;

Fig. '7 is a vertical section through the carton;

'Fig. 8 illustrates the carton blank in disassembled form for shipping and packing;

Fig. 9 illustrates in perspective a second modification of the invention shown partially assembled;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the same in assembled condition with the top open; and

Fig. 11 is a vertical section therethrough.

Referring to Fig. 4 of the drawings, which is the blank for the carton illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the main strip 20 formed of cardboard or otheruexible material, is scored transversely at 2|, 22, 23 and 24 to formthe top panel 25 with its locking tab 26, the front panel 21, the bottom panel 28, and the` rear panel 29. Ex-

tending laterally from the front panel 21, are inner side panels 30 and 3|, which swing about the respective scored lines 32 and 33. Extending laterally from either side of the rear panel 29 are the outer side panels 34 and 35, which hinge about the respective scored lines 36 and 31.

To the inner ends of the outer side panels 34 and 35 are hinged the respective tabs. 38 and 39 and to their outer ends are hinged the respective tabs 40 and 4| which are adapted to be inserted into corresponding slots 40' and 4|' formed in the upper ends of the inner side panels 30 and 3|, respectively. Formed in top tab 26 is a hand hole 42 shaped like and adapted to register with the hand hole 42 in the upper end of the rear panel 29. Formed in top panel 25 is a similar hand hole 43.

,Hinged to the free edge of inner side panel 3| at scored line 44 is a flap 45 having a hand hole 42" of the same size and adapted to register with hand holes 42 and 42 in the top tab 26 and rear panel 29, respectively. The flap 45 is separated for a part of its length by a slot 46 from inner side panel 3| to which the ap 45 is attached. 'Iransverse slots 41 and 48 permit tabs 49 to be folded about the scored lines 5!) at substantially right-angles to the flap 45.

In assembling the carton from the blank illustrated in Fig. 4, the rearlpanel 29 is folded upwardly about lines 23 and 24 into a position parallel with front panel 21. Then the inner side panels 30 and 3| are folded about lines 32 and 33, respectively, at right-angles to front panel 21 and the flap 45 is folded about line 44 so as to lie flatwise against the inner surface of the rear panel 29 with hand holes 42' and 42" in registry as is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, with the tabs 49 extending across the interior of the carton to divide it into three' compartments and serve as separators for the three bottles or other containers inserted within the carton.

Then the tabs 38 and 39 are inserted inwardly to overlie the inner surface of the bottom 39 and hold `the separators 5U in extended position,` and the tabs 4U and 4| are inserted into corresponding slots 40' and 4|' in the upper ends of inner side panels 30 and 3| respectively, these operations causingouter side panels 34 and 35-to overlie inner side panels 30 and 3|` in the manner rear panel 29, top panel 25, and top tab 26, and

which are locked together by the carrying hand, sustain the weight of the contents of the carton, so that there is no danger of collapse of the carton while it is being carried and a rigid, sturdy carrying device is provided.

Also. because the hand holes 42 and 43 are in complementary walls of the finished carton there are no projections which will prevent the carton from being stacked and packed, whether filled or l empty, in the smallest possible space. By placing two cartons with their rear panels 29 in engagement, both cartons can be carried by one handinserted first through the top hand hole 43 of one of them and then through registering hand holes 42 of both of them. The tabs 40 and 4| which are inserted in the slots v40 and 4| serve to lock the outer side panels 34 and 35 against the inner side panels 30 and 3|,. They may, however, be omitted if desired.

The modified form of the carton illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 differs from the carton just described in that instead of being secured to one of the side panels the inserted flap is secured to the bottom panel. This arrangement enables the rear panel 5|, the front panel 52, and the side panels 54 and 55 to be formed in one lateraistrip having its ends secured together by gluing or other fastening means, as is. illustrated in Fig.'8. As before, the top panel 56 is an extension of the front panel 52 and is provided with hand holes 58 and 58 is formed in the top' panel '56.

The bottom panel 60 is formed as an extension of the front panel 52 and is provided with a flap 6| having its longitudinal edges 62 folded inwardly about lines 63 and its lower edge slotted inwardly at 64 to a point intersecting lines 63. 'I'he free end of flap 6| is provided with a hand hole 58" adapted to register with hand holes 5B and 58' when the carton is in assembled condition. A tab 65 hinged to the lower edge of the rear panel 5| is provided with a transverse slot 66, while the tabs 61 hinged to the bottom edges of the side panels 54 and 55 are provided with notches 68 adapted to register with the slot 66 when the carton is in assembled condition. The upper edges of the side panels 54 and 55 are provided with tabs 69.

In assembling the carton illustrated-in Figs. v

the inner surface of the rear panel with its sides 62 directed at right-angles to divide the interior of the carton into three chambers and serve as separators for bottles or otherl containers inserted in the` carton. In this position, the hand hole 58" in the ap 6| registers with -hand holes 58 and 58 in the top tab 51 and rear panel 5l, respectively, as is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. The tabs 69 on the upper edges of the side panels 54 and 55 are folded inwardly before the top tab 51 is inserted between the rear panel 5l and the flap 6I to close the carton.

It will be observed that as in the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the weight of the contents of the carton is borne by the parts which are interlocked by the carrying hand inserted through the registering hand holes 58, 58 and 58" and that this modification has all the advantages of strength, ready handling andcarrying and packing of the carton previously described.

The second modified form of the carton illustrated in Figs. 9, 10 and l1 differs fromthe one illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, in that the flap, instead of being inserted within the carton, extends outside of the carton. As shown in Fig. 9, the main body of the carton, comprising a front panel 10, rear panel 1I and side panels 12, is formed of one strip of cardboard having its ends secured together by glue or the lik-e. The side panels are provided at their opposite ends with upper tabs 13 and the lower tabs 14. Hinged to the bottom edge of the front panel 10 is the bottom panel 15, which is adapted to be folded over the side panel bottom tabs 14. Hinged to the free edge of bottom panel 15 is the flap 1B, the side edges of which are folded upwardly at right-angles to form the partition members 11, which, when the flap 18 is folded flatwise against the rear panel 1l, are adapted to be inserted through companion slots in the rear panel 1I so as to project into the carton in the manner illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11.

The upper ends 19 of the partition members 11 are folded down temporarily while being inserted within the slot 18 in the rear wall 1I. If desired, the free end of the flap 16 may be extended at 88 flush or substantially flush with the upper edge of rear panel 1l, and is provided with a hand hole 82 adapted to register with the hand hole 82 of upper end of rear panel 1 I. The upper end of the front panel 18 is provided with a hinged extension 83 forming the top of the carton and adapte'd to overlie the upper side wall tabs 13, this top 83 being provided with a tab 84 adapted to be inserted within the carton when the top 83 is folded down. The tab 84 is provided with a hand hole 82 adapted to register with hand holes 82 and 82' when the carton is closed. Likewise, the top 83 is provided with a hand hole 85 through which the hand is inserted so that the lingers extend v through the hand hole 82.

This second modiflcationis similar to the other forms in that it is rugged' and strong and may be conveniently carried with safety, and may be stacked and packed, having no projections beyond its geometrical surface. Also, in common with the other forms, the weight of the contents of thevcarton is sustained by parts interlocked by the carrying hand.

It will be observed that in all three forms of the carton of this invention, the blanks of which they are made are generally L-shaped, the two sides or arms of which in each case .are folded transversely of their lengths to form the six panels of the carton with theflaps, 45, 6I, or 16, forming the end of one of the sides or arms of the blank.

It will also be observed that not only are the flaps locked to the panel which they overlieby the hand inserted through the registering hand holes in the iiap and said panel, but the flap is also heldl in position against the said panel by the partition-forming tabs on the ap. Thus in the form of Fig. l, the squared lower edges of the tabs 49- engage the bottom 28 and brace or hold the corresponding flap 45 against panel 29; in the form of Fig. 6 the squared lower edges of the flaps 62 brace or hold the corresponding flap against panel 5I, and in the form of Fig. l0 the interlock and friction between the tabs 11 and their slots 18 serve to hold the flap 16 against the panel 1l.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereby but is susceptible of changes in form and detail within its scope.

I claim:

l. In a carton, the combination of side. wall and bottom panels flexibly connected together, and a flap hinged on said bottom panel and adapted to lie flatwise upon one of said side panels when the carto-n is erected, said flap having a length substantially equal to the length of said one panel.

2. In a carton, the combination of side wall and bottom panels exibly connected together, a flap hinged on said bottom panel and adapted to lie flatwise upon the outer surface of one of said side panels when the cartonis erected, and cooperating means on said flap and said lastnamed side panel for locking said flap in position.

3. In a carton, the combination of side Wall and bottom'panels flexibly connected together, a flap hinged on said bottomv panel and adapted to lie atwise upon the outer surface of one of said side panels when the carton is erected, and a partition member on said flap adapted to extend into said carton through a slot in said oneside panel when the carton is erected.

4. In a carton, the combination of side wall and two bottom panels flexibly connected together, a flap hinged on one of said bottom panels and adapted to be inserted through a slot in said other bottom panel to lieflatwise upon the inner surface of one of said side panels, and projecting means on said flap for holding the latter-in said slot.

5. In a carton, the combination of side wall and two bottom panels. exibly connectedv together, a flap hinged on one of said bottom panels and adapted to be inserted through a slot in said other bottom panel to lie flatwise' upon the inner surface of one of said side panels, and a partition member ron said flap extending into said carton when erected.

. 6. Inan article-carrying carton, the combination of front, rear, bottom and opposite side panels secured together, a flap overlaying the rear panel and secured to one of said other panels, said rear vpanel and flap having registering openings adjacent their upper edges forming a hand hole, and a top panel hinged to said front panel and having a hand hole, said two hand holes jointly accommodating the hand for carrying the carton.4

l '1. In an article-carrying carton, the combination of front, rear, bottom and opposite side panels secured together, a flap overlaying the rear panel and securedtoone of said other panels,

said rear panel and flap having registering openx ings adjacent their upper edges forming a hand hole, tabs on opposite sides of said flap dividing said carton into three compartments, and a top panel hinged to said front panel and having a hand hole, said two hand holes jointly accommodating the hand-for conveying the carton.

8. In an article-carrying carton, the combina.- tion of front, rearfand opposite side panels secured together, a bottom therefor, and a top hinged to the upper edge of one of said panels, said top having a hand hole and said rear wall having a hand hole adjacent its upper edge aligned with the top hand hole, whereby two cartons may be placed back to back and carried by one hand thrust through the top hand hole of one of said cartons and the registering' rear hand holes of both cartons.

9. A carton formed of a. substantially L-shaped blank, both arms of which are folded transversely to form the six panels of a rectangular carton and a flap, said ap being hinged to the edge of one of said panels and being adapted to be folded atwise upon another panel and having substantially the size of said other panel, and at least one partition member formed of an infolded portion of said ap for holding said flap in said flat- Wise position and for dividing said carton into compartments when erected.

EDWARD J CARR. 

